Used car guide

1999 Renault Clio: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Renault Clios, from 367 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 367 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

367MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 65%)
2,600typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Renault Clios than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Exhaust system3.3× usual
    Renault Clio
    28.3% All 1999 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 2.3% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
    Renault Clio
    13.9% All 1999 cars
    5.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 2.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Headlights2.4× usual
    Renault Clio
    14.2% All 1999 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.8% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Number plates2.3× usual
    Renault Clio
    13.6% All 1999 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.6% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes3.6× usual
    Renault Clio
    9% All 1999 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.5% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 6.8% here, against 15.4% of all 1999 cars.

By area

The share of 1999 Renault Clio MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    40% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    34% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    32% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Renault Clio?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023547Tyres 21%
20227,902Tyres 28%
20219,212Tyres 29%
202010,817Tyres 32%
201917,257Tyres 40%
201819,747Tyres 38%
201719,259Tyres 37%
201622,290Tyres 37%
201523,953Brakes 42%
201425,890Brakes 45%
201319,702Brakes 43%
201213,942Suspension 50%
201116,314Suspension 51%
201021,343Suspension 51%
200914,741Suspension 51%
200813,524Suspension 53%
200716,133Suspension 53%
200611,743Suspension 51%
20057,277Suspension 51%
20045,932Suspension 51%
20033,850Suspension 51%
20022,541Suspension 48%
20011,506Suspension 46%
2000764Suspension 46%
1998168Suspension 43%
1996146Suspension 39%
1995166Suspension 30%
1994136Suspension 24%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1999 Renault Clios registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score